Welder disqualified after second fake licence and no insurance offence in Mayo

A Brazilian man described to the court as being in steady employment has been disqualified from driving and given a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to driving without insurance and producing a false instrument.

Jonathan Pereira Bastos of 5 Nally Stand, Lower James Street, Claremorris, appeared before Castlebar District Court, where Judge Vincent Deane heard the matter was the second time the accused had come before the court in similar circumstances.

Defence solicitor Mr. Gary Mulchrone said his client was suitable for community service and had accepted responsibility for the offence.

Garda Barrett, who was in court, outlined the facts of the case previously that Bastos was stopped on June 19, 2024, at Clare, Claremorris, and produced a fake Spanish driving licence.

Judge Deane said he had sympathy for the accused but noted it was a repeat incident. “I have sympathy for your client, but it can’t get any clearer than a garda bringing you to court,” he said.

“There’s a rule. Once is one thing, second is another.”

Mr. Mulchrone told the court his client works as a welder and has always been gainfully employed.

He said Pereira Bastos had completed his theory test, and he has now completed all of the driving lessons, but still does not have an Irish licence.

Judge Vincent Deane confirmed the accused was pleading guilty to having no insurance and noted there had been no previous disqualification, which Garda Barrett confirmed.

Judge Deane imposed a four-year disqualification from driving under Section 56, along with a three-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

The accused was bound to his own bond on the condition that he does not drive during the period of the suspended sentence.

Judge Deane warned that if he was caught driving again, “there is only one place he is going.”

A fine of €100 was also imposed, with six months to pay.

* Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.